The Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) is the Army's source of legal support to operations. As an Officer in the JAGC and a practicing attorney, your responsibilities will cover everything affecting military operations, focusing on the following areas: criminal law, legal assistance, civil and administrative law, labor and employment law, international and operational law, and contract and fiscal law. The JAGC offers a wide range of opportunities-whether serving as prosecutor or defense counsel at a court-martial, advising a commander on an international law issue, helping a Soldier with a personal legal matter, or handling many other challenging and rewarding responsibilities. Duty locations include the continental United States and many installations and locations overseas.

Typical responsibilities for a first-term Judge Advocate include:

• Prosecute criminal cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
• Provide legal assistance (wills, powers of attorney, etc.) to Soldiers, Officers, and their families
• Provide legal reviews of proposed Army actions at the unit/installation level
• Provide ethics opinions regarding the use of Government resources
• Represent Soldiers at courts-martial
• Advise commanders of all levels on all legal issues as they arise

In addition to academic requirements, candidates are expected to exhibit the qualities befitting an Officer in service of the United States, such as leadership, physical fitness, commitment and professionalism.

Once selected, applicants who accept a direct commission in the JAGC serve a four-year tour of duty.

As a minimum, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Have earned a J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Have been admitted to the bar of either a federal court or the highest court of any state in the United States or the District of Columbia (note: 3L students may also apply)
• Applicants must be able to serve 20 years of active commissioned service before reaching the age of 62. Thus, for most applicants, the age requirement is to be under the age of 42 at the time of entry onto active duty.

Most law firms offer some sort of orientation and training, and the JAGC is no different. New Judge Advocates report to Fort Lee, Virginia, for a twelve-day military orientation course, which is known as the Fort Lee phase of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC). The course allows time for establishing personnel and finance records, purchasing uniforms, and receiving instruction in several basic areas of military service.

The military orientation course is followed by a ten-week academic course at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) in Charlottesville, VA. During this phase you receive instruction on the organization, function, and mission of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, an overview of the practice of law in the U.S. Army, and substantive instruction in the six primary areas of practice.

The training continues with four weeks of the Direct Commissioned Officer Course (DCO) and ends with six weeks of officer leadership and Soldier skills training at Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC). You will go to one of two locations for DCO and BOLC: Fort Benning, GA or Fort Sill, OK. The DCO prepares Judge Advocates for success at BOLC by focusing on basic officer and Soldier skills, such as basic rifle marksmanship, map reading and land navigation, first aid, and tactical movement. You will leave BOLC as a more competent leader.

Judge Advocates are both attorneys and Officers; as such, leadership skills are essential. Being a leader in the Army requires self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. You will be expected to be (or become) physically fit and be able to perform under physical and mental pressure. You must be able to make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for your subordinates and other military Officers. You must be able to lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. As an Officer, you will be judged by your ability to make decisions on your own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.

Throughout the career of a Judge Advocate, Officer s will have opportunities to serve in roles of greater responsibility. Typical careers can include serving as: Chief of Justice, Chief of Client Services, Government or Defense Appellate Attorney, Special Assistant US Attorney, Litigation Attorney, Military Judge, Instructor (at the United States Military Academy or The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School), or Staff Judge Advocate.

Army Judge Advocates serve in a capacity similar to many civilian attorney positions, such as district attorney, in-house counsel, general practitioner, civil litigator, or criminal defense counsel.